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IHOPers, For those of you
using this study as a Bible Commentary, you will want to
add the following summary to the Romans’ study. These
few paragraphs summarize the work that Pastor Robert
Winters shared with us at the end of our study.

To the
IHOP Bible Study subscribers:

As you know our study of
the Book of Romans is now closed. During the four weeks
I was on vacation, Pastor Robert Winters made several
presentations on the depth of Romans. I will share a
brief review of his intended purpose. You will find what
he says both intriguing and worthwhile.

A Brief
Review of Pastor Winters’ presentations on Romans

Pastor
Winters’ contention is that Paul uses his material in
the Book of Romans for more than a theological and
ethical statement. He maintains that Paul lays out a
description of the spiritual development of the
Christian.

I. The use of Key Words

Paul uses the
key phrase “Lord Jesus Christ” and the word “Amen” to
indicate his movement from one development stage to the
next. From Winter’s analysis, this phrase can be used in
any order as long as all three words are used. The word
Amen serves a similar function. Winter’s studies ideas
where these key words are used. He noted that this
process is consistent with one exception.

Building on
the theme of the universality of sin and the act of
redemption from sin

sets the stage.

II. The use of the symbols of the Jewish
Tabernacle

Paul uses the
Tabernacle symbols beginning in the Outer Court where
people passed by the “Sacrifice Altar,” and the “Washing
Basin.” These symbols introduced them to their spiritual
journey into the Holy Place. These symbols are
associated with activities of the Feast of Unleavened
Bread and relate the story of the Passover and exodus
from Egyptian Slavery. The Feast of Weeks and the Feast
of Trumpets accompany us on the beginning of this
spiritual journey.

Next, the
Tabernacle symbols of the “Unleavened Bread,” the
“Lampstand” and the “Incense Altar” direct the spiritual
journey through the “Holy Place” (an inner room) and
introduce us to the “Holy of Holies” or the inner High
Altar.

The third, and
most intense symbols of this journey ends in the high
holy place of the “Holy of Holies” where we encounter
the “Mercy Seat” and the “Ark of Covenant.” The
associated feasts are the Day of Atonement and the Feast
of Booths.

Pastor
Winter’s adds the following caveat. In “. . . reference
to the transition phrase, ‘Jesus Christ Our Lord, and
Amen,’ these are primarily transition phrases and
sometimes do not indicate a transition from one temple
article or feast. Most of the time
they do make that transition but not always.”

III.
The development of the Christian Life

Pastor Winters
associates Paul’s statements on spiritual development
with the general characteristics of our cognitive
development in seven stages from babies to maturity. In
this process he notes that each stage is entered into
naturally, yet there are interior activities to be
acquired and acted on. In each of these stages there are
things that happen that can retard, or prevent, the
stage from full realization.

Winters
maintains that our development into full spiritual
maturity is seldom fully achieved, even in a minority of
people. This is due to the various contradictions
experienced along the spiritual journey.

Winter’s adds
one caveat. “. . .the
parallel to human development stage theory is only
approximate and do not follow Gilligan's description of
female development which include all the stages but not
always in the same order as male development.”

Pastor Robert is commended
for his thoughtful presentations. I express my gratitude
for his interest in sharing this with the Salina IHOPers
in my absence. I am grateful for his leadership and for
his friendship.